Technical Diving
Tec Diving, otherwise known as Technical diving allows you to explore beyond the limits of recreational diving safely. Whether you are looking to just try it out with one of our discover tec diving experiences, or going all the way to Tec Deep Diver and beyond, we can help make your technical dive experience and training a whole new adventure.
We offer the widest variety of technical diving courses here in Costa Rica , Central America, with PADI DSAT courses up to and including Tec 50 , the Tec Deep Diver course, Technical sidemount diving, and also TDI and IDAW technical dive courses. Whatever your specific dive needs we can help you out. Check out our list below of Tec Rec Programs;
Tec 40 Program
Tec 40 is the first sub-course of the Tec Deep Diver course . It is a great way to start your technical diving, especially if you have not yet met the pre-requisites for the Tec Deep Diver course.
Once you complete your DSAT Tec 40 course you will be able to conduct gas-switch no-decompression dives and decompression dives (to a maximum of 10 mins decompression) to a maximum depth of 40m/130ft using up to 50% enriched air for decompression.
Throughout your course you will be learning and practicing a number of skills including technical equipment set up, neutral buoyancy control, removing and replacing your stage tanks both on the surface and underwater, gas shut down drills and other emergency drills.
During your course you will also be learning and understanding about the hazards and risks involved when you take part in technical diving, as well as how to prepare for and deal with possible technical diving emergencies. It provides the foundational knowledge needed for entry into technical diving and the stepping stone to the next level, Tec 45.
Prerequisites for DSAT Tec 40
PADI Advanced Open Water Diver (or qualifying certification from another organization)
– PADI Enriched Air Diver (or qualifying certification from another organization)
– PADI Deep Diver (or qualifying certification from another organization)
– Minimum of 50 logged dives, of which at least 10 must be enriched air dives, 12 must be deeper than 18 meters/60 feet and at least six must be deeper than 30 meters/100 feet
– Minimum age: 18 years old
Tec 45 Program
Tec 45 is the second sub-course of the DSAT Tec Deep Diver course. It is a great way to progress with your technical diving, beyond Tec 40 level, especially if you have not yet met the pre-requisites for the DSAT Tec Deep Diver course.
Once you complete your DSAT Tec 45 course you will be able to conduct gas-switch no-decompression dives and decompression dives to a maximum depth of 45m/145ft. As well as the skills you learnt during Tec 40 you will also learn how to stage and retreive 2 decompression tanks and how to share gas in an out of air situation whilst swimming.
During your course you will also be reinforcing what you learnt during your Tec 40 course regarding the hazards and risks involved when you take part in technical diving, as well as how to prepare for and deal with possible technical diving emergencies. It provides the foundational knowledge needed for entry into technical diving and the stepping stone to the next level, Tec 50.
Prerequisites for DSAT Tec 45
PADI Advanced Open Water Diver (or qualifying certification from another organization)
– PADI Enriched Air Diver (or qualifying certification from another organization)
– PADI Deep Diver (or qualifying certification from another organization)
– Tec 40 qualification or we can combine both the Tec 40/45 courses together.
– Minimum of 50 logged dives, of which at least 10 must be enriched air dives, 12 must be deeper than 18 meters/60 feet and at least six must be deeper than 30 meters/100 feet
– Minimum age: 18 years old
Tec 50 Program
If you interested in furthering your technical diving skills as well as your depth limitations then you can look towards the Tec 50 course. If you are not already a Tec diver you can combine this program with the Tec 40 and Tec 45 program to certify as a PADI DSAT Tec Deep Diver.
This course builds on your previous training, dive planning and your technical skills that you would have learnt previously during your Tec 40 and Tec 45 courses. This course will allow you to make gas switch decompression dives to 165ft / 50 meters using air and enriched air (up to 100% oxygen), with technical diving equipment and procedures. It will also be train you in the motor skills needed for technical diving, understand and acknowledge the hazards and risks involved in technical diving and prepare you to respond to possible emergencies that may occur in this type of technical diving.
Prerequisites for DSAT Tec 50
PADI Advanced Open Water Diver (or qualifying certification from another organization)
– PADI Enriched Air Diver (or qualifying certification from another organization)
– PADI Deep Diver (or qualifying certification from another organization)
– Tec 40 / 45 qualifications, or take Tec 40 / 45 / 50 courses together.
– Minimum of 100 logged dives, of which at least 20must be enriched air dives, 25 must be deeper than 18 meters/60 feet and at least 20 must be deeper than 30 meters/100 feet
– Minimum age: 18 years old
TDI Dive courses
TDI Advanced Nitrox
Are you looking to expand your dive time? Maybe you’re a scientific diver or photographer looking to stay in the water a little longer?The TDI Advanced Nitrox Course qualifies divers to use enriched air nitrox from EAN 21 through EAN 100 percent within your current certification level to a maximum depth of 40 metres/130 feet during dives that do not require staged decompression. Often taught in conjunction with the TDI Decompression Procedures course, this can be considered the foundation of your technical diving career.
Who this course is for:
The certified nitrox diver looking to expand their understanding of nitrox mixtures containing more than 40% oxygen
The certified nitrox diver looking to expand their in-water skills
The certified diver who has interest in moving forward with technical diving education
Course prerequisites
(these requirements must be met prior to the start of the course):
Minimum age 18, 15 with parental consent
Minimum certification of TDI Nitrox Diver or equivalent
Proof of 25 logged open water dives
TDI Decompression procedures
Are you finding your no- decompression limits (NDLs) a limiting factor to dives? Do you have to ascend sooner than you would like? As sport divers, planned decompression is not something that we do or have been taught.The TDI Decompression Procedures Course prepares you for planned staged decompression diving. With a maximum operating depth of 45 metres/150 feet, this course is your first step beyond the normal sport diving limits. The TDI Decompression Procedures Course combined with the TDI Advanced Nitrox course form the foundation of all other technical courses. After these two courses and some additional experience, the stage has been set for you to move onto additional technical levels.
Who this course is for:
The certified Advanced Diver looking to expand their knowledge of decompression theory and diving techniques
The certified Advanced Diver who is interested in extending their bottom time
The certified Advanced Diver who has interest in moving forward with technical diving education
Course prerequisites:
Minimum age 18
Minimum certification of SDI Advanced Adventure Diver, Advanced Diver, or equivalent
Proof of 25 logged open water dives
TDI Extended Range
Certain areas of the world provide spectacular dives at depths deeper than 39 metres/130 feet but you may not have access (or very limited access) to helium. The TDI Extended Range course teaches you the proper techniques for utilizing compressed air as a breathing gas, and with a maximum depth of 55 metres/180 feet, so you don’t have to miss those dives!The TDI Extended Range Diver Course provides the training and experience necessary including proper techniques, equipment requirements, and hazards of deep air diving, to competently utilize air for dives up to 55 metres/180 feet that require staged decompression, using nitrox mixtures or oxygen during decompression.
Who this course is for:
The certified TDI Advanced Nitrox/Decompression Procedures diver looking for the next step in technical dive training. Whether you’re looking to expand upon your skills, experience, or just go a little deeper to see an area of interest, this course is for you!
Course prerequisites:
(these requirements must be met prior to commencement of training):
Minimum age 18
Certified as a TDI Advanced Nitrox Diver and TDI Decompression Procedures Diver, or equivalent
Proof of a minimum of 100 logged dives, of which 25 must be deeper than 30 metres/100 feet
All technical diving courses at Oceans Unlimited require that you have the following personal equipment;
Depth gauge/computer and backup depth gauge/computer
– Timing device and backup timing device
– Decompression information (Table and deco calculator) as well as backup decompression information
– Exposure suit appropriate for environment and dive duration
Inflatable signal tube
– Reel
– Lift bag
– Knife/cutting device and backup
– Slates and backup slates
– Compass
Includes manual and rental of tanks, gas and weights
Equipment required to complete the course includes:
– Primary and secondary regulators, one with two meter/seven foot hose (approx.) for gas sharing, and one with SPG
– Regulator for deco cylinders SPG, mounting hardware. Two per diver will be required (one for the Tec 40 and 45 courses)
– BCD and harness – with redundant buoyancy control is required e.g. double bladder BCD
This equipment is available for rental at Oceans Unlimited if not personally owned
